Department of the Interior April 25, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) advises the public that we intend to gather information necessary to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed expansion and amendment of the U.S. Borax Inc. (U.S. Borax) Life of Mine Project Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The proposed amendment is being prepared under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amended, (Act). The HCP and incidental take permit amendments are needed to authorize the incidental take of listed species as a result of implementing activities covered under the proposed HCP amendment. We provide this notice to: (1) Describe the proposed action and possible alternatives; (2) advise other Federal and State agencies, affected Tribes, and the public of our intent to prepare an EIS; (3) announce the initiation of a 30-day public scoping period; and (4) obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues and alternatives to be included in the EIS.